Basilica rector asks devotees for self-renewal

CEBU, Philippines -  The rector of the Basilica del Sto. Niño encourages everyone to renew one’s self and seek conversion by changing views and goals in life for the better.

Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA, who is also the overall chairman of the Sinulog activities of the Church, presided over the Hubo Mass Ritual yesterday at the Pilgrim Center of the Basilica.

“Akong mensahe sa tanan mao ang kausaban sa kaugalingon, panlantaw, tinguha ug panumpa isip Katolikong debotos ni Senyor Santo Niño,” Mejares  said. (I urge everyone to seek changes in one’s views for the better and to try to be better Christians and devotees of Sr. Sto. Niño.)

“Ug kita magmatinud-anon sa mga panaad ug panumpa ngadto kang Sto. Niño, dili lang sa pagpangayo sa atong mga basic needs. Ug molakaw kita nga magsubay sa dalan ngadto padulong ni Kristo,” Mejares added. (Let us live to follow Christ’s ways and make true our promise and vows to the Holy Child.)

People expected Mejares to sing like in his previous homilies but yesterday it was different. He started his homily with the question, “Sto. Niño, nganung mosangpit man ang tawo kanimo?” (Sto. Niño, why do people come to you?)

He cited people from all walks of life - married couples, students, the elderly and the sick who despite their hardships and ailments would still go to church to express their faith to the Santo Niño.

Despite the rain at dawn yesterday, thousands of devotees of the Holy Child Jesus attended the yearly religious ritual which is done five days after the Sinulog Fiesta.

“Hubo” is the solemn changing of the image’s clothes that formally closes the yearly grand fiesta. In this occasion, the gala and ceremonial vestments of the image are replaced before the image is returned to the side chapel.

According to Fr. Arnel Antonio Dizon, OSA, the Hubo and the Pag-ilis have deeper symbolic message that challenges the devotees of the Sto. Nino.

“This challenges the faithful devotees of the Holy Child Jesus, Sto. Niño to conversion and renewal of thinking, doing and relating and to a decisive transformation of one’s self like the Holy Child who grew up in wisdom, charity and truthful to God’s plan,” said Dizon.

“Thus, the Hubo ritual officially ends the activities for the Santo Niño Fiesta, but not the devotion to the Santo Niño which goes on and on through the years, becoming more and more fervent and drawing more devotees with every grace, both spiritual and material, that comes from the miraculous Child God that is the Santo Niño de Cebu,” Dizon added.

Mejares, on the other hand, added that the Hubo Ritual of the Sto. Niño can also be associated with the baptism of the faithful.

“Ang pista naay katapusan apan ang atong debosyon ngadto kang Santo Niño magpadayon. Ato pod nga padayunon ang atong pagpuyo sa matarong, atong lig-onon ang atong pagtoo, molihok kita nga nahisubay sa dalan sa Ginoo ug para sa kaayohan sa katilingban,” Mejares ended. (The annual fiesta activities must come to an end but not our devotion. Let us then move on with stronger faiths and live in the likeness of God, offering ourselves for the good of the many.) — /JPM (FREEMAN)